Latest news with #NohlWilliams
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chiefs Rookie Cornerback Already Improving in Minicamp
Chiefs Rookie Cornerback Already Improving in Minicamp originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Kansas City Chiefs were in the bottom half of the league in passing yards allowed this past season, so they went into the 2025 NFL Draft looking to improve their secondary. Advertisement And that is exactly what they did. The reigning AFC champions selected Cal cornerback Nohl Williams with the 85th overall pick in the third round of the draft. He was reportedly having some struggles in OTAs, but has shown flashes in mandatory minicamp. In team drills, Williams showed his athleticism by jumping up and making an impressive interception, which should give him some confidence after OTAs. In his final season at Cal, Williams led all of college football in interceptions with seven, one of which he was able to take all the way back to the house. He also racked up nine pass deflections and 52 total tackles, both of which were able to help him be named All-American. Advertisement Behind Trent McDuffie, the Chiefs did not have a lot of cornerback depth, so drafting a ball-hawk like Williams could be exactly what the team needed. His ability to snag interceptions and defend passes will complement McDuffie's ability to tackle at the corner spot very well. Williams is not currently listed as a starter on the team's depth chart, but could earn a lot of opportunities in his first season. The Chiefs fell short in the Super Bowl to the Philadelphia Eagles this past season, so Williams and the rest of the team's defense will be looking to help lead the team back to the playoffs to redeem themselves. Related: Chiefs Not Shutting Door On Rookie Starting Week 1 Related: Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes Reveals Concern Level Over Travis Kelce In 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Struggling Chiefs Rookie Finally Impresses at Mandatory Minicamp
Struggling Chiefs Rookie Finally Impresses at Mandatory Minicamp originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Kansas City Chiefs addressed some much-needed secondary depth in the 2025 NFL Draft with the third-round selection of Cal cornerback Nohl Williams. Advertisement Williams struggled a bit during rookie minicamp and OTAs, but finally might've caught his stride during this week's mandatory minicamp. On Tuesday, the first day of mandatory minicamp, Williams made a circuslike leaping interception during team drills that caught the attention of his teammates and coaches. That's good news, as Williams will most likely be expected to play the third or fourth cornerback during his rookie season behind Trent McDuffie and Kristian Fulton, as he'll compete for playing time with veteran Jaylen Watson. Chiefs' director of player personnel Mike Bradway, was high on Williams before the draft. Advertisement "He can come in and contribute right away. We have a lot of good players in the room. I think his special teams, the value there is obviously where he can probably make an impact early," Bradway said. "I think just with his experience, his résumé, I think he's probably more ready than a lot of corners you might take in that range.'' Across five seasons of college football – three at UNLV and two at Cal, Williams had 203 total tackles with 134 solo and four for loss and 14 interceptions with one pick-6. He added nine passes defended. During his final season at Cal in 2024, he posted seven interceptions while making All-American in the ACC. At the very least, Williams will be expected to help out on special teams on a regular basis, but for a third-round pick, the Chiefs hope he can crack the starting lineup on defense as a rookie. Advertisement Related: Mahomes Issues Take On Kelce's Major Chiefs Move Related: Chiefs Star Tight End Travis Kelce Focuses on 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Early offseason programs are meant to integrate new faces, especially rookies, into their new environment though some like Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Nohl Williams experience significant growing pains in the process.
Early offseason programs are meant to integrate new faces, especially rookies, into their new environment though some like Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Nohl Williams experience significant growing pains in the process. originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Kansas City Chiefs continue to progress through OTAs with mandatory minicamp approaching in the coming days and training camp ahead next month. For now, veterans are working back into football shape and the younger guys are finding their legs. Advertisement While the rookies get their own minicamp following the draft, much of this process is somewhat of a baptism by fire. They are not thrown into game situations, but instead tasked with holding their own against veteran competition in a controlled setting. Some take these experiences in stride, dealing with little to no setbacks in the process. Others find that the learning curve is not so steep through their progression. Rookie Nohl Williams appears to fall into that latter category. The cornerback, selected in the third round out of Cal, still has some adjustments to make in handling the size, speed and all around ability at the professional level. Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt noted Williams' struggles thus far, sharing some brutally honest feedback from his first few weeks at OTAs. Advertisement "His head is spinning a little bit. A lot of volume," Merritt said. "He's playing one position, corner. For that one position, he needs to continue to grow." Williams touts an impressive resumé despite his status as a third-round pick. He enters the league with a reputation as a ballhawk in the college ranks, leading all of NCAA Division I in interceptions last season with seven. However, the All-American has learned the NFL presents an entirely different challenge at his position with an abundance of remarkable receiving talent spread across all 32 teams. Luckily, this is a natural symptom of life as a young defensive back in the NFL. The younger crop tend to get picked on when they hit the field in their early years. Advertisement And in Kansas City, there is certainly an expectation to adapt quickly. That's not to say the Chiefs are not focused on development, rather that process happens at a much faster rate when the team continually finds themselves competing for championships. That should also work in the rookie's favor surrounded by veterans in the defensive backfield, including Trent McDuffie who has two Super Bowls to his own resumé. McDuffie entered the league under similar circumstances with the Chiefs and has benefitted from the challenge, already recognized as one of the best corners in the league. Time will tell if Williams can find his way on a similar path to success though he clearly has his work cut out. Related: Do Chiefs Have 'Enough In The Tank' For Super Bowl Run? Related: Chiefs' Mahomes Announces Major Decision on 2028 Olympics This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kansas City Chiefs officially sign DB Nohl Williams to a rookie contract
The Kansas City Chiefs will officially sign cornerback Nohl Williams to a rookie contract after selecting him in the 2025 NFL draft last month. Williams was Kansas City's third-round pick and joined the Chiefs after an impressive collegiate career in California. After transferring from UNLV in 2023, Williams totaled 53 tackles, six pass deflections, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and two touchdowns. In 2024, he earned First Team All-ACC honors and was a Consensus All-American, leading the FBS in interceptions with seven. News of Kansas City's latest signing was first reported by NFL insider Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, Texas: The deal is reportedly $6.335 million, including a $1.247 million signing bonus, plus $50,000 workout bonuses in 2026, 2027, and 2028. Omar Norman-Lott, the Chiefs' second-round pick, is the only remaining rookie from the draft class unsigned at the moment.
USA Today
28-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kansas City Chiefs Sr. Director of Player Personnel Mike Bradway on CB Nohl Williams
Kansas City Chiefs Sr. Director of Player Personnel Mike Bradway on CB Nohl Williams During his press conference over the weekend, Kansas City Chiefs Senior Director of Player Personnel Mike Bradway shared his thoughts on third-round draft pick Nohl Williams' readiness to step in and play immediately. "I think he (Nohl Williams) – you know, with a guy that's a four-year starter with that kind of intelligence (and) experience, I think he can come in and contribute right away." said Bradway, "Now, we have a lot of good players in the (cornerback) room. I think his special teams – the value there is obviously where he can probably make an impact early. I think with his experience (and) resume, I think he's probably more pro-ready than a lot of corners you might take in that range." Williams mentioned a desire to learn more from All-Pro Trent McDuffie in his introductory press conference. With his takeaway abilities, he could be a cornerback in contention for valuable playing time next season. In 2024, Williams' seven interceptions at California earned him First-Team All-ACC honors and made him a Consensus All-American.
